The Covered Bridges of Rush County, Indiana

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There are 6 covered bridges still standing in Rush County, Indiana out of at least 23 built. Many of these bridges were lost due to floods, storms, arson and progress.
Archibald M. Kennedy began working as a carpenter in 1841. In 1864 he built a stately home northeast of Rushville for his family. In 1983 his home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kennedy began building covered bridges in 1870 when he won a contract to build his first covered bridge over the East Fork of the Whitewater River in Union County, Indiana.
Archibald's two sons, Emmitt L. Kennedy and Charles Kennedy both joined their father in the covered bridge building business in 1871. At least 58 covered bridges were built by the Kennedy firm which eventually included his two grandsons as well.
To hear more about the 5 remaining bridges in the county, please watch the video.
GPS Location: 39°39'37.5"N 85°32'21.9"W

[@kcdonegan]

Great bridges. Thanks for the history behind them all, it's nice knowing all the details. Thanks

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome! Glad you like the project.

[@jayjaynella4539]

Excellent production. Looks like a few of these covered bridges were demolished about the time of my birth.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Glad you like the project.

[@Chaplain161]

All of these bridges are within 20 miles from me and I never knew they existed. THANK YOU. Now I need to plan a route to see them all.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome!

[@ruffcutford]

Thanks you soooo much for the time and research to put this together.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome!

[@deanross4090]

Crown Point, Indiana bought a Kennedy covered bridge from Rush County in 1933. It is still at the Lake County fairgrounds at Crown Point. Interesting story.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I didn't know that. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[@cee128d]

My family went on a covered bridge tour of Rush County back in the 1960's. Went over all of the bridges that were still standing at that time. Wish I lived closer now so I could take my daughters and grandchildren on a tour of the remaining ones.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I think 3 bridges have been lost since the 1960s.

[@darlenejohnson8864]

Enjoyed the video.

[@JamesCarter-ii4up]

Covered Bridges back in the 70s was Scary.... We drive out to them Drink some beer smoke some weed and look for Chost 👻....Good old days....

[@patriciameadows6045]

Beautiful scene

[@TerryB751]

Definitely some beautiful bridges. It's a terrible shame that arsonists burned some of them. I was reading that the reason that bridges were covered was to protect the wooden roadway of the bridge from deterioration. It was cheaper to replace the roof and sides rather than to replace the wooden roadway once it was deteriorated due to weather and being worn down with vehicle traffic.

[@kathylucas6587]

Very interesting video. Thanks for posting.

[@alanhartman3879]

Awesome history

[@keithstudly6071]

Nice picture @ 6:01! Looks almost as good as the one I took. In fact ........

[@Bobby8451]

I like these old bridges but what was the purpose of covered bridges? When I go over bridges I like to look out over and see the river or lake or whatever. Covered bridges u can't do that.

[@jayjaynella4539]

To keep the weight of snow and ice from collapsing the timbers, and also to keep rainwater off the bridge planks.